had several members suggest adjusting the engine timing
looking at videos about this, it seems many cars are easy to do this for
the Jag seems a little tougher
vernier adjustment seems to be the simplest form if i am reading it right
cant tell if this engine has such a thing but should for the time period i would have thought
any tips?

 

No vernier on the S3 electronic distributor.

In the space between the distributor and the engine block is an 11mm hex head bolt. This bolt secures the distributor clamping plate to the engine block. This plate is also slotted.

Reach in and feel around, it is in there. Then an 11mm spanner, reach in and loosen that bolt a LITTLE. Rotate the distributor "anti-clockwise" about 2mm, NO MORE, tighten that bolt. You have just retarded the timing by "about" 5deg.

If, when that bolt is loosened the distributor refuses to move in that direction, it may be due to the slot already being at the end of its travel, bugga.

I will say no more until you report yes or no.

The next step is more fiddly as far as access goes.

 

god, fiddly and small cavities abound in Jaguar land,
think my hands crushed
used a webcam to see after a while and got the bolt up,
the movement anti-clock was very small before it stopped.

 

OK, better than nothing, but what I suspected would be the answer.

Now try it before the next adventure begins, as that "small' amount MAY make all the difference.

Any further movement will require the "pinch bolt" to be loosened. You reckon that one was hard, HAHAHA, you are about to get a real sense of humour.

The pinch bolt is on the opposite side of the distributor than the one you just got at, and usually the power steer pump is simply in the way.

Soooooo, as I said, try the engine first.

 

I think I might need to be Ant Man to manage this.. who at Jaguar ever thought this placing were a great idea...?
Ok, turn over of engine remains the same.
sound file here
http://we.tl/EdK7oCcgQR

 

I would personally not be touching the timing until you have access to a timing light to know where you are setting it at.


Running premium allows a slightly more advanced timing setting as it prevents the onset of detonation better than lower octane fuel.


Slightly more timing makes the motor feel more torquey down low, better pickup, not as doughy

 

I now agree with Stoney85.

I would be removing the #1 spark plug (make sure no crap falls down the hole), and MANUALLY rotate the engine in a clockwise (as viewed from the front of the engine) direction, and watch the timing mark in behind the a/c compressor (another top positioning) until it lines up with "about" 8deg BTDC (Before Top Dead Centre). The marks on the timing plate are hard to read, so a GOOD LED torch does wonders here, and then a little guess work takes over.

Then look at the point on that starwheel under the rotor inside the distributor, and it should be pointing AT the centre of the reluctor pick up point. Move the distributor until such is gained. THIS MOVEMENT WILL BE VERY SMALL IN YOUR CASE, as that thing is SO close, but just not spot on.

Further adjustment to the timing once it running and up to temp will be needed, but that should get it going.

DONT FORGET, #1 CYLINDER IS AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE.

Just for giggles, coz I have buggered it up over the years, make sure the plug leads are in the correct sequence, 1 5 3 6 2 4. Again #1 is at the back, and the distributor rotates anti-clockwise when looking down on it from above.

 

I take Stoney's point, just that right now the engine ain't doing much of anything.

have observed tho that petrol is reaching the fuel rail but i can find no fuel in the return lines on the other side of the engine.. i assumed the entire fuel system became pressured at start up.

could i assume from this that either their is blockage in the fuel rail or that the ECU has failed to instruct the injectors?

I'll take a look at the latest timing stuff tomorrow and try some of it out.